Course outline
Code: EDU710A/B/C/D
Title: Education Research Project
Faculty of: Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Teaching Session: Semester 1
Year: 2016
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Debbie Heck Email: dheck@usc.edu.au Tel: 54565112
Course Moderator: Dr Margaret Marshman
1.
What is this course about?
1.1
Course description
The research project you undertake in the Master of Education is normally the first piece of extended
research and writing you have undertaken during your university studies. Completion of your research
project is the established means of demonstrating your capacity for future independent research. Your
project is an important part of training towards research higher degree studies because it allows you to
begin to locate yourself in the educational research culture. Your report is normally between 20 000 and 25
000 words in length, depending upon the nature of the problem investigated.
1.2
Course content
Implement an approved research project that has university ethical clearance. This process will include:
Developing a plan for implementation of the research outlined in the previously approved proposal
Critical review of relevant literature
Data gathering
Data analysis and interpretation
Report writing
2.
Unit value
48 units
3.
How does this course contribute to my learning?
On successful completion of this course you
should be able to:
You will be assessed on the
learning outcome in ask/s:
Completing these tasks
successfully will contribute to
you becoming:
Develop a deep theoretical understanding
of an educational issue and its application
to professional practice in education
Task 1A & B: Formative Task:
Research Plan and Evaluation
Task 2: Education Research
Report
Task 1A & B: Formative Task:
Research Plan and Evaluation
Task 2: Education Research
Report
Empowered.
Knowledgeable.
Conduct high quality and ethically sound
educational research project that makes a
contribution towards the development of
knowledge in the field of education.
Version Semester 1 2016
Recfind File Number: F16171
Creative and critical thinkers.
Sustainability-focussed.
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Course Outline: EDU710 Education Research Project
Present a report of research undertaken
using the appropriate academic format.
4.
Task 2: Education Research
Report
Engaged.
Ethical.
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the Undergraduate Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of “prerequisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”
4.1
Enrolment restrictions
Instructor Consent Required. You must be enrolled in ED705. Permission required for enrolment – please
contact your Faculty Office. You must have successfully completed 48 units of study in accordance with the
MEd research specialisation. This includes achieving a minimum of a credit grade in both EDU750 Research
Methods in Education and EDU753 Designing a Research Proposal. You must provide your research
proposal to the Program Coordinator two weeks prior to the commencement of the semester to seek
approval for the project. The process for developing the research ethics application should have been
commenced within the EDU753 course.
4.2
Pre-requisites
EDU750 Research Methods in Education (credit achievement) and EDU753 Designing a Research Proposal
(credit achievement) Ethics approval
4.3
Co-requisites
EDU710B – corequisite is EDU710A
EDU710C – corequisite is EDU710B
EDU710D – corequisite is EDU710C
4.4
Anti-requisites
Nil
4.5
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (optional)
N/A
5.
How am I going to be assessed?
5.1
Grading scale
Standard – High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)
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Course Outline: EDU710 Education Research Project
5.2
Task
No.
1A
1B
2
Assessment tasks
EDU710
Assessment
Tasks
Formative Task:
Research plan
Individual
or Group
Weighting
%
What is the
duration / length?
Individual
0%
500 words
Formative Task:
Research plan
and progress
Education
Research Report
individual
0%
500 -700 words
Friday Week
10 by 5pm
Individual
100%
20000 – 25000
words
Friday Week
16 by 5pm
When
should I
submit?
Friday Week
3 by 5pm
Where should I
submit it?
Safe Assign:
Electronic
Submission
Safe Assign:
Electronic
Submission
Safe Assign:
Electronic
Submission
100%
Assessment Task 1: Formative Task: Research Plan
Goal:
Product:
Format:
You will generate a research plan that details how you will complete your research project and
report..
Research Plan
Task 1 A
Use the research plan template provided on the course Blackboard site to develop a
comprehensive plan for your research that demonstrates how you will complete the research
and develop your final project report on time.
Task 1 B
Revised the research plan that you submitted in task 1 A. Include a reflection on your progress
and document any changes and the reasons for those changes in your plan.

Criteria
Quality of progress towards completion
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Organisation
Graduate
Problem solving
Graduate
Assessment Task 2: Education Research Report
Goal:
Product:
Format:
You will generate a research project report to document the outcomes of your research
Education Research Report
Your education project report will document the outcomes of your research.
Your 20 000-25 000 word report will include the preparation of a coherent and scholarly text that
normally includes:
 definition or location of the educational problem, topic or theme;
 identification of the appropriate theoretical framework and/or methodology used to
explore the problem;
 literature review, that establishes the relationship of the problem, topic or theme to
the scholarly context;
 evidence of ethical clearance and implementation of the project using these guidelines;
 collection of relevant data;
 critical analysis of data, information or material obtained; and
 implications, conclusions and recommendations in light of material analysed.
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Course Outline: EDU710 Education Research Project
Your report will be sent to two independent examiners, one normally internal and the other is
external to the University of the Sunshine Coast as appointed by the Program Coordinator or
nominee. Following examination your final research project report must be submitted to USC
Research Repository.
Criteria
 Respond to or initiate research and clarify or determine what knowledge is required,
heeding ethical/cultural and social/team considerations
 Find and generate needed information/data using appropriate methodology.
 Determine and critique the degree of credibility of selected sources, information and of
data generated, and reflect on the research processes used.
 Organise information and data to reveal patterns and themes and research processes.
 Analyse information/data critically and synthesise new knowledge to produce coherent
individual understandings
 Write, present and perform the processes, understandings and applications of the
research, and respond to feedback, accounting for ethical, social and cultural issues
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Communication
Graduate
Problem solving
Graduate
5.3
Additional assessment requirements
A detailed set of Education Research Project Guidelines are available from the course blackboard site.
These guidelines are in accordance with the University policy ‘Rules Governing Undergraduate Honours
degrees’
http://www.usc.edu.au/University/AbouttheUniversity/Governance/Policies/RulesUndergradHons.htm
Blackboard
As a student enrolled in this course you will have access to course information on the Blackboard site. You
are strongly recommended to log onto the course site on a regular basis. All course announcements,
course changes, posting of course materials and grades (via My Interim Results) will be accessed through
Blackboard. It is your responsibility to ensure they have adequate internet access (either off campus or oncampus) in order to access Blackboard regularly and to complete required assessment tasks.
Safe Assign
In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its
assessment tasks are submitted electronically via Safe Assign. This software allows for text comparisons to
be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that Safe Assign has access to. If
required, details of how to submit via Safe Assign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course.
5.4
Submission penalties
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment
A student’s eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions
applying:
a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
c) The student has not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
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Course Outline: EDU710 Education Research Project
6. How is the course offered?
6.1
Directed study hours
1-hour lecture for 13 weeks face to face OR
1 hour online for 13 weeks
Both modes of study will also include individual supervision with your approved supervisor(s) either in
person or online. .
6.2
Teaching semester/session(s) offered
Semester 1 and 2 each year
6.3
Course activities
Teaching
Week /
Module
Week 1 -3
What key concepts/content
will I learn?
What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content?
Directed Study Activities
Independent Study
Activities
Translating your research
Developing your research plan
Readings, Individual research
proposal into a research plan
project
Week 4
Being a research student.
Sharing your research plan
Readings, Individual research
Sharing research plans
project
Week 5 -9 Refining your research plan
Group writing support
Readings, Individual research
and writing
project
Week 10
Revised research plan and
Sharing your progress and plan
Readings, Individual research
evaluation
redevelopment
project
Week 11 - Refining your research plan
Group writing process
Readings, Individual research
13
and writing
project
Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation.
7. What resources do I need to undertake this course?
7.1
Prescribed text(s)
N/A
7.2
Required and recommended readings
Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These
materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further
information regarding particular aspects of your course.
7.3
Specific requirements
It is expected that you will have access to computer equipment and the Internet to access electronic
material available online and via the University library.
7.4
Risk management
There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the
Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas. If you research project exceeds
these conditions you will need to work with the course coordinator to prepare a risk assessment plan in
accordance with your research process.
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Course Outline: EDU710 Education Research Project
8.
How can I obtain help with my studies?
In the first instance, you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Student Life and Learning
provides additional assistance to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can
drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: +61 7 5430 1226 or Email:
studentlifeandlearning@usc.edu.au
9.
Links to relevant University policies and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
 Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
 Review of Assessment and Final Grades
 Supplementary Assessment
 Administration of Central Examinations
 Deferred Examinations
 Student Academic Misconduct
 Students with a Disability
http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching
10. Faculty specific information
General enquiries
Student Central - Building C
Tel: +61 7 5430 2890
Fax: +61 7 5430 2882
Email: Studentcentral@usc.edu.au